Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
1
WEIGHT PLATE WITH EXTERNALLY ACTUATED INTERNAL
LOCKING DEVICE
1. Field of the Invention. This invention relates to a weight plate for use
with body building equipment, in general, and, more particularly, to a weight
plate
having a cartridge therein which includes an external toggle lever which
actuates
an internal mechanical pin to conveniently, safely and simply engage a
connection union mounted in or adjacent weight plates.
2. Background. Body building equipment (also referred to as physical
fitness equipment or exercise apparatus) often takes many forms to provide the
resistance necessary to tear down muscle tissue during an exercise regimen.
Many ingenious resistance developing systems or machines have been
developed utilizing, for example, systems which incorporate a selectable
weight
stack. By design, the known equipment allows a user to, within the module,
increase weight as the available resistance is incrementally selectable. These
systems often promise faster and better results for exercisers. However,
despite
the advancement of mechanical and/or biomechanical devices which may benefit
muscle growth, little effort has been made to simplify and/or make the
selectable
weight stack safer.
Conventional weight stacks are, typically, multiple layers of metal-
based plates which collectively and, generally, amass an aggregate gross
amount of weight. Generally, a weight stack includes a plurality of
rectangular
weight plates, typically about one inch thick and about 10 inches long by 4
inches
wide. Each conventional plate incorporates four bore holes therein. Three
throughbores pass vertically through the thickness of the plate from the
top surface to the bottom surface. The fourth bore hole passes horizontally
within the width of the plate (between the top and bottom
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
2
surfaces) and intersects the middle one of the three vertical bore holes. Two
throughbores engage or receive a pair of spaced-apart guide rods and cause the
plate
to track vertically thereon.
The middle throughbore accommodates a center post. The typical center post
has multiple diametric throughboresio*receive a selector pin which passes
through the
fourth throughbore. Thus, each plate may be independently selected by way of
manually inserting a selector pin which is, typically, slightly longer than
the width of a
plate and has a knob of sorts on one end so that a user may better manipulate
the
selector pin. The pin is inserted through the fourth throughbore in the plate
and a
throughbore in the center post to lock the weight plate to the center post for
selectively
moving that weight plate vertically either up or down, as well as any weight
plate
supported thereon.
Although traditional weight stacks, such as those described above, have
succeeded in carrying out the intended weight lifting purpose, there are Many
areas for
substantial improvement.
One key problem often associated with traditional weight stacks is that the
selector pin is removable and, as a result, is often misplaced, stolen or
damaged
whereupon it is replaced with a functionally and/or structurally inadequately
sized pin.
This inappropriate replacement historically has caused bodily injury when the
system
fails due to the violation Of the inherent design of the apparatus.
The removable *pin also permits the user to easily modify the operation of the
apparatus outside the manufacturer's design criteria for the plates and/or
weight stack.
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
3
Additionally, there is a level of dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination
required to effect the insertion of the selector pin in the horizontal
throughbore of the
weight and the center post which further limits the true and effective result.
In other weight plates, latch levers are rotated at one of the surfaces of the
weight plate to selectively engage a notch or groove formed in the center post
or
hanger bar as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,221 to ltaru. These devices
are
subject to slippage of the levers unless an extremely complicated system of
levers
is utilized and precisely locked in position.
Yet other weight plates included sliding plates, described in U.S. Patent
No. 772,906 to Reach, which are cams formed in the weight plates to
effectively
engage lugs on an adjacent weight plate.
These latter devices are subject to large manufacturing costs and are
cumbersome to use as well as having clear safety issues.
Therefore, the need exists for a more manufacturable weight plate having a
construction that minimizes confusion on the part of the user, possibility for
misuse
or failure, yet retains the convenient exchange of weight with a single finger
of a
human hand. The weight plate of the present invention satisfies this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The weight plate of the present invention includes a convenient, integrally
assembled cartridge with an exterior lever for enabling an internal pin to
engage or
disengage a connecting union which is attached to the plate.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a physical fitness apparatus,
comprising: a first weight plate having a bore hole formed vertically
therethrough
and an internal bore running transversely therein and communicating with said
bore
hole; a second weight plate to be detachably connected to said first weight
plate
and having a bore hole formed vertically therethrough and an internal bore
running
transversely therein and communicating with said bore hole; a first connector
located in the bore hole through said first weight plate and a second
connector
located in the bore hole through said second weight plate; each of the first
and
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
4
second connectors of said first and second weight plates having a hollow head
at
one end thereof and an aperture formed in said hollow head and axially aligned
with
a respective one of the internal bores in said first and second weight plates,
each of
said first and second connectors also having a coupling tail located at the
opposite
end thereof and a coupling hole formed in said coupling tail, the coupling
tail of the
first connector located in the bore hole of said first weight plate extending
below
said first weight plate for receipt within the hollow head of the second
connector
located in the bore hole of said second weight plate; a locking pin mounted
for
reciprocal movement between unlocked and locked positions within the internal
bore of each one of said first and second weight plates, said locking pin
having a
locking slot formed therein; and a lever arm communicating with each locking
pin of
each one of said first and second weight plates at the locking slot formed in
said
locking pin, each lever arm moving between a first position and a second
position to
correspondingly apply one of a pushing force or a pulling force to said
locking pin,
the lever arm which communicates with the locking pin of said second weight
plate
moving from the first position to the second position to exert the pushing
force on
said locking pin at said locking slot thereof and thereby cause said locking
pin to
move from said unlocked position to said locked position and ride through the
internal bore in said second weight plate for receipt by the aperture formed
in the
hollow head of said second connector and the coupling hole formed in the
coupling
tail of said first connector received by the hollow head of said second
connector,
whereby said first weight plate is detachably connected to said second weight
plate.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a physical fitness apparatus,
comprising: a first weight plate having a bore hole formed vertically
therethrough
and an internal bore running transversely therein and communicating with said
bore
hole; a second weight plate to be detachably connected to said first weight
plate
and having a bore hole formed vertically therethrough and an internal bore
running
transversely therein and communicating with said bore hole; a first connector
located in the bore hole through said first weight plate and a second
connector
located in the bore hole through said second weight plate; each of the first
and
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
4a
second connectors of said first and second weight plates having a hollow head
at
one end thereof and an aperture formed in said hollow head and axially aligned
with
a respective one of the internal bores in said first and second weight plates,
each of
said first and second connectors also having a coupling tail located at the
opposite
end thereof and a coupling hole formed in said coupling tail, the coupling
tail of the
first connector located in the bore hole of said first weight plate extending
below
said first weight plate for receipt within the hollow head of the second
connector
located in the bore hole of said second weight plate; a locking pin mounted
for
reciprocal movement between unlocked and locked positions within the internal
bore of each one of said first and second weight plates; a lever arm coupled
to each
locking pin of each one of said first and second weight plates and adapted to
move
between first and second positions; and a spring cooperating with each lever
arm of
each one of said first and second weight plates for exerting a force on said
lever
arm for holding said lever arm in one of said first or second positions and
said
locking pin in one of said unlocked or locked positions, the lever arm coupled
to the
locking pin of said second weight plate moving from the first position to the
second
position to cause said locking pin to move from the unlocked position to the
locked
position so as to ride through the internal bore in said second weight plate
for
receipt by the aperture formed in the hollow head of said second connector and
the
coupling hole formed in the coupling tail of said first connector received by
the
hollow head of said second connector, whereby said first weight plate is
detachably
connected to said second weight plate.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a physical fitness apparatus,
comprising: a first weight plate having a bore hole formed vertically
therethrough
and an internal bore running transversely therein and communicating with said
bore
hole; a second weight plate to be detachably connected to said first weight
plate
and having a bore hole formed vertically therethrough and an internal bore
running
transversely therein and communicating with said bore hole; a first connector
located in the bore hole through said first weight plate and a second
connector
located in the bore hole through said second weight plate; each of the first
and
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
4b
second connectors of said first and second weight plates having a hollow head
at
one end thereof and an aperture formed in said hollow head and axially aligned
with
a respective one of the internal bores in said first and second weight plates,
each of
said first and second connectors also having a coupling tail located at the
opposite
end thereof and a coupling hole formed in said coupling tail, the coupling
tail of the
first connector located in the bore hole of said first weight plate extending
below
said first weight plate for receipt within the hollow head of the second
connector
located in the bore hole of said second weight plate; a locking pin mounted
for
reciprocal movement between unlocked and locked positions within the internal
bore of each one of said first and second weight plates; and a locking
cartridge
having a cartridge body attached to said second weight plate and a lever arm
surrounded by and pivotally connected to said cartridge body so as to rotate
therewithin between first and second positions, one end of said lever arm
coupled to
the locking pin of said second weight plate at a location within said
cartridge body
and the opposite end of said lever arm extending outwardly from said cartridge
body
at which to receive a rotational force to cause said lever arm to rotate
between said
first and second positions, said lever arm rotating from the first position to
the
second position to exert a pushing force on said locking pin to cause said
locking
pin to move in a first direction through the internal bore in said second
weight plate
from said unlocked position to said locked position to be received by the
aperture
formed in the hollow head of said second connector and the coupling hole
formed in
the coupling tail of said first connector received by the hollow head of said
second
connector, whereby said first weight plate is detachably connected to said
second
weight plate, said lever arm rotating from the second position to the first
position to
exert a pulling force on said locking pin to cause said locking pin to move in
an
opposite direction through the internal bore in said second weight plate from
said
locked position to said unlocked position to be removed from the aperture
formed in
the hollow head of said second connector and the coupling tail of said first
connector received by the hollow head of said second connector, whereby said
first
weight plate is detached from said second weight plate.
CA 02676722 2013-07-08
4c
A weight plate for physical fitness equipment is disclosed including a plate
body with a central throughbore for connection and at least one, preferably
two,
throughbores which pass vertically therethrough for receiving guide rods or
the like.
The plate body additionally has an internal cavity which includes a horizontal
bore
disposed intermediate the opposing surfaces of the plate body. Typically, the
horizontal bore intersects the central vertical throughbore. A selector pin is
movably
mounted within the cartridge and passes through the internal bore to
selectively
engage the plate body to a union or connector which is mounted is the central
throughbore of the weight plate. A toggle lever is mounted in the cartridge to
selectively position the selector pin within the internal bore. The union (or
connector) is adapted to fit snugly within the central throughbore and
includes a
radial or diametric opening therethrough to selectively engage the selector
pin from
the cartridge.
The connector comprises a generally stepped conical or cylindrical-pyramidal
shape with an end latching eye at one end thereof and an open center thereof
to
receive the end latching portion of a similar connector therein such that a
selection
pin engages the union connector body in the weight plate as well as the
latching
eye of the union in an adjacent weight plate. Thus, the cartridge selector pin
is
selectively operative to join a weight plate to an adjacent weight plate or a
lift
apparatus cable or the like.
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a weight plate assembly
known in the prior art.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the weight plate apparatus of the instant
invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the weight plate apparatus shown in Figure 2 in the
assembled condition with the locking pin in the locking position.
Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the weight plate apparatus of the
instant
invention.
Figure 5 is a partially broken away view of the weight plate apparatus of the
instant invention taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a partially broken away plan view of the bottom surface of the
weight
plate apparatus of the instant invention showing one embodiment of the cavity
and
cartridge with the locking pin retracted.
Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the connector portion of the
weight
plate assembly of the instant invention.
Figure 8 is another view of the connector portion of the weight plate assembly
of
the instant invention rotated 90 relative to Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the cartridge of the weight plate
apparatus of the instant invention with the locking pin shown in several
positions.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a conventional weight plate 100
which
is known in the art. Typically, multiple weight plates are used to
collectively amass an
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
6
aggregate gross weight in a weight machine. Generally, a conventional weight
plate
100 comprises a rectangular body, typically about one inch thick and about 10
inches
long by 4 inches wide. Conventional weight plates incorporate three vertical
throughbores 101, 102 and 103 which pass through the thickness of the plate
from the
top surface 121 to the bottom surface 122. A fourth throughbore 105 passes
horizontally through the plate (from the front 123 toward the back between the
top and
bottom surfaces) and intersects the middle throughbore 103.
In a typical utilization, throughbores 101 and 102 receive a pair of
conventional
spaced apart guide rods 106 and 107 (shown in dashed outline). This
arrangement
permits the plate 100 to track vertically on the guide rods.
The middle throughbore 103 accommodates a center post 108 also shown in
dashed outline. The center post 108 has multiple diametric throughbores 109 to
act as
a receptacle for a selector pin 110 which passes through throughbore 105. Each
plate
100 may be independently selected by way of manually inserting the selector
pin 110
through throughbore 105 and a throughbore 109 in the center post 108 (after
moving
the weights or the center post vertically up or down) to select a desired
weight plate.
Selector pin 110 is, typically, slightly longer than the front-to-back width
of any one plate
and has a suitable knob 110A at one end so that a user may better Manipulate
the pin.
Although conventional weight stacks, such as those described above, have
succeeded in carrying out the intended purpose, there are many areas for
substantial
improvement. For example, the proper selector pin 110 is frequently misplaced
and
replaced with a functionally and/or structurally inadequately 'sized pin.
Historically, this
inappropriate replacement has catised bodily injury due to the inherent design
flaw of
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
7
the pin which is permitted as a result of the freedom of user to openly
circumvent the
manufacturer's weight stack design.
Additionally, inasmuch as there is a certain level of dexterity and hand-to-
eye
coordination required¨as well as attention to task ¨ to effect the
"engagement" of the
selector pin 110 in the throughbore 105 of the weight which further limits the
true and
effective result. That is, failure to properly insert the selector pin may
result in failure of
the weight system and poseible injury.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an exploded view of the weight plate
apparatus 290 of the instant invention. The plate 200 has the traditional
rectangular
configuration and is formed from a rigid material, such as iron, steel,
urethane, rubber,
plastic or a composite material. As an example, a weight plate may have a
dimension
of 10 inches long by 4 inches wide by 1 inch thick. These dimensions are
illustrative
only and are not !imitative. The shape and size of the plate are subject to
design
preference. .
The plate 200 is similar to the prior art weight plate formed with a middle or
central
throughbore 203 and two adjacent throughbores 201 and 202. The throughbores
201
and 202 (which may include low friction type bearings 206 and 207,
respectively)
receive the vertical guide bars (see bars 106 and 107 in Figure 1) which
stabilize the =
selected plate. However, in this invention, the middle throughbore 203 is
adapted to
I accept a pin receiving connector union 250 which is described infra.
The plate 200 is further formed with an internal cavity 225 at the front edge
surface 223 which receives and houses a locking cartridge 500 therein. The
cartridge
500 (see infra) is properly sized to permit movement of the toggle (or pin
actuator) lever
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
8
231 in slot 504 when actuated by moving the end piece 204 at the external end
thereof.
The toggle lever 231 is pivotally mounted around pivot pin 211 which is
inserted through
suitable apertures in cartridge 225 and selectively moves a locking pin 501
(see infra)
into aperture 205.
Referring concurrently now to Figures 3 and 4, there are shown a plan view and
a front elevation view, respectively, of the weight plate 200.
The preferred rectilinear configuration of weight plate 200 is shown. The
throughbores 201 and 202 are shown with the optional bearings 206 and 207
therein,
respectihrely.
The throughbore 203 is shown with the connector 250 inserted therein. The
upper surface 253 (see Figure 5) of connector 250 is, typically, flush with
the upper
surface of the weight plate 200. The connector 250 is, typically, mounted by a
force fit
into the throughbore 203..
A cavity 260 is formed within the body 251 of the connector 250. The cavity is
configured to receive the body portions 251 and 252 (see Figure 2) of an
adjacent
connector 250 in an adjacent weight plate 200 or a weight cable end piece (not
shown).
The cartridge 500 is inserted into the cavity 225 and mounted at the front
surface
223 of plate 200. The toggle lever 231 moves through the slot 504 in the
cartridge 500
and pivots about the pivot pin 211.
Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a partially broken away end view of
the
weight plate 200 with the union 250 mounted therein. As noted, this assembly
may be
created by a force fit.
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
PCT/US2007/003503
WO 2008/097231
It is seen that the upper surface of plate 200 is flush with the upper surface
of
union 250. The upper lip 253 of the union (or connector)-250 rests upon a
shoulder 512
which is formed within the throughbore 203.
One side aperture of union 250, e.g., aperture 257 (see Figure 8), is
partially
i visible at the interior cavity 260 of the union 250. The lower
interconnection loop 254 is
seen protruding from the bottom of the weight plate 200.
As will be seen in Figure 3, the locking pin 501 in a weight plate apparatus
selectively passes through the cavity 260 and aperture 257 therein. In
addition, this
locking pin passes through the interconnection loop 252 in an adjacent plate
200A
(shown in dashed outline) where it is placed in contact with the existing
plate shown.
Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown a bottom plan view of the weight
plate
apparatus 290 of the instant invention with the connector 250 omitted. The
throughbores (or apertures) 201, 202 and 203 are depicted. The cavity 225 is
shown
communicating with the central throughbore 203 via internal bore 226 which
receives
locking pin 501 which is mounted in the cavity. Internal bore end 226A is
adapted to
receive the inner end of locking pin 501 (see Figure 3) after it has passed
through the
apertures 256 and 257 in the body of connector union 250. Bore 226B is also
adapted
to receive the outer end of locking pin 501 when the locking pin is withdrawn
from the
locked position.
Conversely, when lever 231 is moved to the right (as shown in Figure 9) in
slot
504 and internal cavity 225, the locking pin 501 is passed through aperture
203 (and the
connector 250 when inserted in the aperture) to securely engage another
connector
=
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
union 250 in an adjacent weight plate 200 or a lift cable connector (as
suggested in
Figure 2)
Referring concurrently to Figures 7 and 8, there are shown perspective views
of
the connector unit 250 of the instant invention.
In each of these views, the connector 250 is seen to have a generally
cylindrical
body 251 which has an Outer diameter approximately 1 % inches and a height of
approximately 1 inch. These and any other dimensions described herein are not
!imitative but are representative only. The body 251 also includes an axial
cavity 260
which is somewhat elliptical in configuration.
Apertures 256 and 207 are diametrically opposed to each other and pass through
the side walls of the body 251 so as to communicate with the cavity 260 in the
body
251.
At the upper end of body 251, the connector 250 includes a rim or Up 253. The
lip 253 is approximately 3/8 inch thick and extends radially about 1/8 inch
from the outer
surface of the body 251. The lip 253 surrounds the body 251 and extends about
1/8
inch above the top surface of body 251.
At the lower end of body 251, the connector 250 includes a connector loop 252
which is somewhat elliptical in cross-sectional shape. The loop 252 extends
about 1
inch below the lower end of the body 251 and includes aperture 255
therethrough.
Loop 252 of connector 250 in a first weight plate is adapted to be received
into
the cavity 260 of an adjacent connector 260 in a second weight plate of
similar design.
Thus, a plurality of weight plates in accordance with the instant invention
can be
selectively engaged.
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
1].
Referring now to Figure 9; there is shown an enlarged representation of the
cartridge 500 as used in conjunction with the instant invention.
The cartridge 500 includes an external body 502 which includes an integrally
formed front piece 505. The cartridge also includes an internal housing 503
attached to
the opposite surface of the front piece 505. The front piece 505 is larger
than the
opening of cavity 225 and is mounted at the front surface 223 of the weight
plate 200.
The internal housing 503 is inserted into cavity 225 in the weight plate 200
(see Figure
2). The body 503 is largely secured in the weight plate cavity 225 by friction
force
although fastening devices such as screws or an adhesive can be used.
The outer housing 502 is, typically, arcuate shaped and includes elongated
slot
504 which passes horizontally through the outer surface therein. The slot 504
receives
the toggle lever 231 as shown and described herein.
The toggle lever 231 is a generally planar component formed of a suitably
strong
material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel which inhibits rust and
corrosion.
The toggle lever 231 is somewhat angulated with planar body portions 601 and
602.
An aperture passes through the body portion 601 in a location (typically at or
near the midpoint thereof) advantageously selected to permit proper pivotal
rotation of
the toggle lever 231 around the swage pin 211 which passes vertically through
the body
502 of cartridge 500.
As noted supra, the inner end 602 of toggle lever 231 is inserted through the
=
elongated slot 504 in the front panel 220 and engages a slot in locking pin
501. The
locking pin 501 is, typically, made of a strong corrosion resistant material
such as, but
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
12
not limited to, stainless steel. The locking pin 501 is an elongated rod or
shaft and is,
typically, cylindrical in shape although other configurations are
contemplated.
Thus, when toggle lever 231 is rotated around the pivot pin 211 by pushing on
knob 204, the locking pin 501 is moved backward or forward within cartridge
housing
503 as well as the Cavities 226, 226A and 226B in the weight plate 200 (see
Figure 6). =
As the locking pin moves, it is selectively engaged with or disengaged from
the union
connector which extends into the throughbore 203 to lock or unlock the weight
plate 200
relative to an adjacent weight plate.
Coil spring 901 has end 902 thereof engaged with lever body portion 602 within
internal housing 503. The other end 903 of coil spring 901 is engaged with the
inner
portion of internal housing 503, for example at the rear (or bottom) surface
thereof as
viewed in Figure 8.
Coil spring 901 assures that toggle lever 231 assumes one position (engaged)
or
the other (disengaged) and prevents the lever from remaining in an indefinite,
half-way
position. Thus, a fail safe operation is enforced.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference
to
the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that
various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from
the
=
spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, there is shown and described a unique design and concept of a weight
plate with externally actuated internal locking device. Those skilled in the
art will
appreciate the many benefits and advantages afforded the present invention. Of
significant importance is the ability to easily and safely select a desired
weight without
CA 02676722 2009-07-28
WO 2008/097231 PCT/US2007/003503
13
need for a center post while maintaining the advantage of providing an
integrally formed
and 'uniform system to reduce cost and liability exposure to the consumer.
While this
description is directed to particular embodiments, it is understood that those
skilled in
the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific
embodiments shown
and described herein. Any such modifications or variations which within the
purview of
this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood
that the
description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to
be !imitative.
Rather, the scope of the invention described herein is limited only by the
claims
appended hereto.
